Kukla's Korner Hockey

Perhaps predictably given Sidney Crosby’s concussion history, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Josh Yohe reports that the Penguins were not able to find an underwriter willing to take on the massive gamble that is Sidney Crosby’s “lifetime contract” with Pittsburgh:

The Penguins cannot insure themselves against a concussion-related early retirement by franchise center Sidney Crosby, NHL sources told the Tribune-Review on Friday.

Crosby, 24, has missed all but 63 games the past two seasons because of concussion symptoms. He and the Penguins agreed to a 12-year contract worth $104.4 million — all of it guaranteed. The team will present the contract to the league Sunday for approval.

Insurance companies offer teams protection against career-ending injuries, but Crosby’s concussion history is considered a pre-existing condition. If Crosby cannot finish his contract because of a concussion-related injury, he will still be paid in full, but the Penguins would not receive assistance from an insurance policy on the deal, sources said.

IF he retires
If he gets a major concussion and is sidelined by doctors, he can go on for another 10 years “trying to get back” even though doctors say he wont play ever again, if I understand it correctly

Didnt Savard do it with the bruins, and got paid for a ful 2 or 3 years before his contract expired?

Posted by
Zqto
from Brazil on 06/30/12 at 11:16 AM ET

They would have to pay, but it wouldnt hit the team’s cap, right?
Not such a big risk, if that’s the case
I would guess they have the money to spare

Posted by Zqto from Brazil on 06/30/12 at 01:27 AM ET

Technically, it means they could spend up to his salary over the cap, but that’s essentially the same thing.

If he gets a major concussion and is sidelined by doctors, he can go on for another 10 years “trying to get back” even though doctors say he wont play ever again

I wouldn’t be surprised to see something go into the next CBA that allows something of a medically-induced retirement scenario, but I’d be VERY careful in trying to write it.